Rear foot controls



Sept. 15, 1964 c. A. ROBERTS REAR FOOT CONTROLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1965 s R mm Cu MO o I m L s.

e I H 0 h 0 w ATTORNEY P 15, 1954 c. A. ROBERTS 3,148,678

REAR FOOT CONTROLS Filed Jan. 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Charles Alonzo Roberts ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,148,678 REAR F001 CONTROLS Charles A. Roberts, 71% S. Travis St., Sherman, Tex. Filed Jan. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 254,370 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-80) This invention relates to the control and alignment of the human foot by maintaining the proper balance and functional positions of certain bones and associated structures therein, or cooperating therewith, such as the anterior-inferior tuberosity of the os calcis, or heelbone; the medial-inferior shelf of the cuboid; the proximal ends of the metatarsals; the cuneiforms, and the sustentaculurntali, individually or collectively, and in multiple combinations.

I prefer to use the term rear foot control in describing my technique, and the mechanical means by which it is accomplished, namely, through the alteration of foot base planes on the plantar surface of the foot by providing an elevated counter-surface at specific areas to effect desired serial changes in the alignment of foot structures, foot balance and foot posture.

A further object of my invention is that of diffusing body weight concentration and dissipating the traumatic impact on bony prominences which result from standing on unnatural flat surfaces, and further, to counteract serial foot structural changes which follow depression of the anterior portion of the heel bone, the lowering of the head of the talus (ankle bone), rotation of the cuboid, the unlocking of the bones in the anterior-posterior transverse segment of the foot, which includes the scaphoid, cuneiforms and the cuboid, to minimize subluxation of joints in this area.

Another object of my invention is that of providing for the release and to prevent stresses and strains on intrinsic foot structures, which include muscles, ligaments and tendons associated with the controlled osseous structures, and in addition, balance the foot which is partially controlled by seven muscles which have their origin in the leg and terminate in the foot, and which consist of the peroneal muscles on the lateral aspect of the leg, and the tibial muscles, hallucius longus and the flexor digitorum longus on the medial and anterior aspect of the leg. My rear foot control affects the function of these leg muscles and resists a valgus position of the os calcis which distorts the ideal balancing action of these muscles on the foot proper, and creates an optimum relationship of all structures.

In preventing the sagging of the anterior portion of the calcaneous, my rear foot control aids in preventing the shortening of the tendon of the achilles, the gas'trocnea mius and soleus muscles on the back of the leg. By holding the os calcis in its optimum position, my rear foot control eases stresses at the epiphyseal growth centers of the heel bone, and pressure and tension is eased at the long and short plantar ligament attachments on the tuberosity of the heel bone. Moreover, elevation of the anterior portion of the os calcis and the approximation of all articular surfaces in the mid-tarsal, sub-talar segment encourages the concentration of body weight on the heel, the accepted ratio being 60% on the heel and 40% on the toes.

Another and important object of my invention is that of providing means whereby to improve alignment of the foot on the leg, tending to direct the foot straight ahead in the same plane as the long bones of the leg, and further, to align the pivotal axis of the foot to encourage mild adduction, supination and inversion.

A prime object of my invention, therefore, resides in the provision of a control medium which is preferably formed of a substance such as felt, or may advantageously consist of a relatively firm material, being substantially trapezate 3,148,678 Patented Sept. 15, 1964 in peripheral outline and skived about its edges to be more readily conformable to the posterior segment of the foot at the critical areas for the desired control.

My control medium differs materially from the variety of conventional types of foot appliances which are designed to concentrate the body weight of the individual along the extreme medial and lateral borders of the rear foot and tend to create side pressures raising the outer structures and depressing the central structures.

Such conventional devices do not accurately conform to the normal shape of the inferior surfaces of the bones which make up the sub-talar segment and are convex to the foot base plane. The inferior surface of the 0s calcis is an inclined plane, higher in front than in back, and depression of the anterior portion of the os calcis separates, by a wedging action, the articular surfaces between the os calcis and the cuboid. This action unlocks the cuboid allowing it to rotate on its anterior-posterior (long) axis which starts serial changes affecting all structures in the mid-tarsal and sub-talar segment.

Moreover, such conventional appliances which exert pressure on the lateral border of the foot have a tendency to force the tuberosity of the proximal end of the fifth metatarsal shaft upward and outward to unlock the articulation between the cuboid and the fourth and fifth metatarsals, thus if the front end of the os calcis is depressed, and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal is rolled upward and outward, the entire outer weight bearing segment of the foot is disturbed, ligaments in the area are under stress, and foot strain results. My rear foot control is designed to minimize the errors in foot bone alignment as practiced by the use of conventional types of foot correctional devices.

Broadly, my invention contemplates a method of controlling the functional alignment of specific bones of the human foot by altering the foot base planes on the plantar surface of the foot through an elevating device in which is embodied a structure having a plurality of radial inclined planes, and junctures thereof, whereby the foot structures are aligned to prevent or minimize stresses and strains on muscles, ligaments and tendons associated with osseous structures.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become apparent as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of elevating device used in connection with my rear foot control method.

FIGURE 2 illustrates, in elevation, the bone structure of the human foot showing in cross-section and broken lines, the application of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views on lines 33, 44 and 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a plan View showing the generally trapezate outline of the elevating device, and the skived edges thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the plantar surface of the bone structure of a right foot on which is indicated the primary points of control contact, and

FIGURES 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are similar views showing the application of modified control structures which basically include the structure illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6.

The term rear foot control, as used herein, has reference to the elevation and optimum control of the anteriorinferior tuberosity of the os calcis, or heelbone, the medial-inferior shelf of the cuboid, the proximal ends of the metatarsals, the cuneiforms, and sustentaculumtali, individually and in multiple combinations. These elements of the human foot together constitute its critical weight bearing segment and axis of motion and it is important to the well being and comfort of the individual to stabilize these bones to release strain and stress occasioned by any depressed structures in the rear foot assembly.

My control element 10 may be fabricated of felt, leather, rubber, cork, sponge, or combinations of molded materials, and is generally trapezate in marginal outline, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, and has skived surfaces A, B, C and D about its top surface. The skived surface D is arcuate in marginal outline while those designated A, B and C are straight, the shortest of which is the surface B so that the top or plateau I defined by the inner margins 11 of the skived surfaces is substantially triangular, as best shown in FIGURE 6.

The peripheral dimensions of the respective angular edges of the element 10 may be varied according to the predetermined foot size of the individual to be fitted, and it is intended that the device, when the proper size, thickness and specific shape is determined, may be cemented or strapped to the foot, when properly located thereon, secured by elastic or fabric devices, secured in footwear, to inner soles, or hosiery or footgear linings, or otherwise applied to insure stability as to location.

The control element 10, by reason of its irregular outline, and its plurality of inclined planes, and junctures thereof, which form the pyramidal frustrum or the plateau I, is applied to the foot 12 in the manner shown in FIG- URES 2, 3, 4, and 8 so that the several lettered surfaces, and their junctures, occur at predetermined points of the bone structure of the rear foot in a manner which will hereinafter be described.

When dimensioned to fit the individual foot the control element is arranged so that the inclined or tapered surface A lies under the anterior portion of the os calcis, or heelbone 13 so that, when Weight is applied to the posterior transverse plane of the foot, counter-pressure is exerted at A, indicated in FIGURES 1, 7 and 8. The narrow tapered plane B exerts a counter-pressure under the medial shelf of the cuboid bone 14 at B to stabilize the cuboid on its long axis.

The inclined surface C, which has the greater dimension in length and width, follows the diagonal line of the cuneiforms 15, 16 and 17 and counter-pressure is upward under the proximal-inferior heads of the metatarsals 18, 23, 30 and 26 and the anterior-posterior transverse foot plane and segment. The curved medial inclined border D is moderately skived and follows and elevates the scaphoid the internal cuneiform 15 and the proximal end 19 of the first metatarsal shaft. The pressure is upward along the medial-inferior tuberosity of the scaphoid 15', the internal cuneiform 15, and the proximal end 19 of the first metatarsal 26, as indicated in FIGURE 8.

The juncture of the skived surfaces A and D is indicated at E. This V-shaped formation of the control element 1t} exerts counter-pressure at the sustentaculumtali D which occurs on the anterior-superior-medial portion of the heelbone, the pressure being directed upwardly toward the mid-line of the foot, as shown in FIGURE 8. The V-formation at the juncture of the inclined surfaces C and D, and indicated at F, exerts upward pressure on the inferior articulating surfaces of the internal cuneiform 15, and inferior proximal end of the first metatarsal 19, which members are shown in FIGURE 7.

The juncture of the skived surfaces B and C, is indicated at G and functions to provide upward pressure under the anterior-medial shelf of the cuboid 14 and the joint articulation of the proximal fourth metatarsal, the latter being indicated by numerals 20 in FIGURES 7 and 8. The juncture of the inclined surfaces A and B, indicated at H, exerts an upward pressure at the articulation of the cuboid bone 14, and the heelbone 13, as indicated in FIGURE 5 and FIGURES 7 to 12, inclusive.

The plateau I, formed at the frustrum of the pyramidal element 10, exerts an upward thrust against the short (spring) ligament and the long plantar ligament (not shown), and also the sub-talar, mid-tarsal anterior-posterior transverse plane segment of the foot, the axis of foot motion. The effect produced by my rear foot control is the integrated stabilization of the sub-talar, anteriorposterior and transverse segments of the human foot. From medial to lateral the gradual elevation and stabilization of all sub-talar joints is accomplished by locating the surface I directly under the medial-lateral transverse plane, the tarsal segment and the axis of foot motions.

My rear foot control element provides for the elevation under the axis of motion of the foot by the application of pressure on the plateau I. The height, or perpendicular distance between element planes, varies according to the thickness of the material used in fabricating the control medium. The thickness of this control determines the pivotal area on the superior surface, and thus the higher the altitude the less area is required to be affected to gain the greater concentration in the pivotal axis. By maintaining constant angles on the four lateral faces, additional thickness reduces the area of the frustrum, or surface I of the control element, and increases the length of the lateral faces. The area of the base and the height is optional depending on the individual foot size and the complexity of the medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, midtarsal, sub-talar foot structure.

My rear foot control is functional, as opposed to a fiat surface, which is not functional for the heel of the human foot. Anatomically, the os calcis is not in the center of the rear foot, and the inferior-posterior tuberosity of the heel bone is not flat. The inferior medial and lateral prominences of the heel bone are not equi-distant from the primary base plane, the highest point being on the lateral aspect. Thus my rear foot control follows major foot contours in the area encouraging proper function and optimum alignment of the foot structures through specific pressures exerted by the elevations, crests and junctures thereof.

As previously stated, my basic rear foot control medium is designed to preserve the integrity of the foot structures, starting with the heel bone and the rear foot to maintain ideal or to align distorted (subluxed) foot bones and joints thereby controlling foot and leg structures, foot posture, foot balance, and body equilibriums (Isoropo).

Chronic foot strain resulting from any subluxation of the rear foot assembly radiates into all areas of the foot. I have, therefore, extended the anterior portion of the basic rear foot control into other areas anterior to the basic pivotal control of the rear foot. These extensions provide an aid in proper structural alignment and balance as the weight of the body moves from heel to toe in the process of ambulation, relieving stress and strain in weight reception and provides proper guidance in an ideal weight progression pattern.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will become apparent that the crest of the skived surface A supports the anterior portion of the heel bone, and the angle at H, formed at the juncture of the surfaces A and B, is situated directly under the articulation between the os calcis 13 and the cuboid 14 gently elevating both. The anterior-lateralinferior section of the heel bone 13 should not be permitted to sag at the articulation of the latter and the cuboid 14 since sagging at this point imposes pressure on the styloid process of the fifth metatarsal, unlocking the cuboid allowing rotation thereof on its long axis.

The peak or plateau surfaces I of the control element 10 is directly beneath the mid-tarsal and the sub-talar segments, sometimes referred to as the anterior-posterior hinge of the foot. The mid-tarsal and sub-talar segment is in the axis of major foot motions, extension, flexion, abduction, adduction, eversion, inversion, supination and pronation.

The angulations on the surfaces of the control ele' ment 10, in combination with the junctures of the skived surfaces A, B, C and D serves to reduce strain through the alignment of the rear foot bones and also encourages proper function in this area, and throughout the entire foot.

In FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are illustrated modifications of the control element and embody a variety of extensions thereof. FIGURE 9 includes, with the basic structure 10 shown in FIGURE 8, a forward extension 22 which elevates the third and fourth metatarsal shafts 18 and 23 and is slightly higher beneath the shaft 18 which is normally a greater Vertical distance from the primary foot base plane.

The extreme anterior portion of the control element extension 22 ends just back of the metatarsal heads 24 and 25 and is skived and rounded from medial to lateral terminating at a point where the anterior curve meets the lateral border near the proximal end 19 of the first metatarsal 26. The medial border of the extension 22 is slightly curved inwardly at 27 with a relatively long angle skive while the lateral border 28 is slightly curved inwardly with a sharper skive.

In FIGURE 10 is shown a modification of the basic element 10 which includes a forward extension 29 which elevates the second, third and fourth metatarsal shafts 30, 18 and 23, respectively, and is arcuate across its extreme anterior end 31. The extension 29 is skived along both longitudinal borders with the highest elevation under the third metatarsal shaft 18. The anterior portion 31 is curved to follow the normal arc of the anterior-transverse segment formed by the distal heads of metatarsals 30, 18 and 23, respectively, and this border is skived sharply. The lateral border is slightly curved inwardly to the mid-line of the foot.

The modification illustrated in FIGURE 11, which includes the basic element 10, has a forward extension 33 which elevates the second, third and fourth metatarsal shafts 30, 18 and 23, respectively, incorporating an arcuate anterior portion 34 under the distal heads of the metatarsals 30, 18 and 23 and having an additional extension 35 providing an elevation under the head of the shaft 26, the hallux and phalanges 36 of the great toe in cases where the shaft of the first metatarsal 26 is shorter than the shaft of the second metatarsal 30. I

In FIGURE 12 is shown a modified form of the control element 10, which includes the basic form shown in FIGURE 8, and has a forward extension 37 designed to elevate the metatarsal shafts 30, 18 and 23, respectively, and to float the distal ends of metatarsal shafts 32 and 26, and is skived along its borders and is arcuate across its anterior border 38 under the distal heads of the metatarsals 30, 18 and 23 with the lateral and medial borders 39 and 40 flared outwardly toward the front to form a scalloped effect just posterior to the heads of the first and fifth metatarsals 26 and 32 which are floated to relieve excessive pressures, the curved intermediate border, between the flared portions, providing an elevation just posterior to the heads of metatarsals 18, 23 and 30.

In summary, therefore, the medium which I have here illustrated and described is designed to control and align specific structures of the human foot, which includes the os calcis (heelbone); the medial shelf of the cuboid; the sustentaculumtali; the cuneiforms, and the proximal ends of metatarsal shafts. It will maintain ideal foot-posture, foot-balance, and body equilibriums (Isoropo) by holding foot and leg structures in an optimum functional position, individually, collectively and in multiple combinations.

My control element is designed with a view to providing four lateral inclined planes, and an elevated plateau which, when properly applied, will alter foot base planes to effect serial changes in foot and leg structures (bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments), and diffuses body weight thrusts on and in foot, releasing and preventing stresses and strains on foot structures, and specifically minimizes subluxation of the joints in the rear foot assembly.

It also aids in equilibrating muscles which have their origin in the leg and insert into the foot, improving circulation and enervation through restrained valgus foot postures.

It is, therefore, apparent that my rear foot control may be applied in different forms although the basic principles involved are maintained. While the elfects may be accomplished by other modified structures, and the applications thereof to the foot may be changed, such modifications and changes as may be considered as falling within the spirit of my invention may also be considered as falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for controlling and aligning the bone structure of the foot, a supporting element adapted to be applied to the sub-talar pivotal axis of the foot, comprising, a semi-flexible element generally trapezate in peripheral outline, but arcuate along one of its edges, and having a substantially triangular central upper surface applicable to the plantar surface of the foot, the said upper surface being defined by a plurality of surfaces of unequal dimensions inclined toward the edges of said element whereby, when applied to the foot, the inclined surfaces engage the anterior-posterior-transverse foot plane segment.

2. A rear foot control device for aligning the bone structure of the foot, a stabilizing element adapted to be applied to the sub-talar pivotal axis of the foot, comprising, a semi-flexible body, generally trapezate in peripheral outline, but arcuate along one of its edges, and having one planar surface, a substantially triangular platform opposing said planar surface defined by its juncture with an inclined plane along and outwardly toward each angular edge and the arcuate edge of said body, the said inclined planes having different dimensions and degrees of inclination, whereby to conformably control and support the anterior-posterior transverse segment of the foot when said triangular platform is applied to the plantar surface thereof.

3. A rear foot control device for aligning the bone structure of the foot, a stabilizing element adapted to be applied to the sub-talar pivotal axis of the foot, comprising, a semi-flexible body, generally trapezate in peripheral outline, but arcuate along one of its edges, and having one planar surface, a substantially triangular platform opposing said planar surface defined by its juncture with an inclined plane along and outwardly toward each angular edge of said body, the said inclined planes having different dimensions and degrees of inclination, whereby to conformably control and support the anterior-posterior transverse segment of the foot when said triangular platform is applied to the plantar surface thereof.

4. In a rear foot control device for elevating and controlling the anterior-inferior portion of the heel bone and sub-talar pivotal axis of the foot, a stabilizing element for application to the plantar surface of the foot, comprising, a semi-flexible body having a peripheral outline defined by a plurality of angles of different inclination, the said element having one planar surface and a plurality of inclined surfaces of different dimensions opposing said planar surface defining a substantially triangular platform whereby, when said platform is applied to the plantar surface of the foot, the said inclined surfaces about said platform engage and elevate the anteriorinferior portion of the heelbone, the medial-inferior shelf of the cuboid, the cuneiforms and proximal-inferior portion of the metatarsal shafts.

5. In a rear foot control device for elevating and aligning the bone structure of the foot, a body formed of a semi-flexible material and having angular edges of different dimension and inclination, the said body having one planar surface, and an opposing multi-faced surface defining a substantially triangular platform having an inclined plane along each angular edge of said body whereby, when said platform is applied to the sub-talar pivotal axis of the foot, the said inclined planes thereof elevate and control the anterior-inferior portion of the heelbone, the medial-inferior shelf of the cuboid, and the cuneiforms and proximal-inferior portion of the metatarsal shafts.

6. In a rear foot control device adapted to be applied foot, one of said inclined planes engages and elevates the to the plantar surface of the foot at the sub-talar pivotal anterior-inferior portion of the heelbone. axis thereof, a body formed of semi-flexible material having a peripheral outline defined by a plurality of angles References Cted the file of thls Patent of different inclination and one arcuate edge, one surface 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS of said body being planar, a plurality of planes, each hav- 11 1 377 Di h f June 17, 1930 ing a different inclination and dimension, on its opposite 1 51 4 4 Taplin 1 1924 surface along each angular edge and said arcuate edge defining a substantially triangular platform whereby, when FOREIGN PATENTS applied to the anterior-posterior transverse segment of the 10 1,159,941 France I my 1958 

5. IN A REAR FOOT CONTROL DEVICE FOR ELEVATING AND ALIGNING THE BONE STRUCTURE OF THE FOOT, A BODY FORMED OF A SEMI-FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND HAVING ANGULAR EDGES OF DIFFERENT DIMENSION AND INCLINATION, THE SAID BODY HAVING ONE PLANAR SURFACE, AND AN OPPOSING MULTI-FACED SURFACE DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY TRIANGULAR PLATFORM HAVING AN INCLINED PLANE ALONG EACH ANGULAR EDGE OF SAID BODY WHEREBY, WHEN SAID PLATFORM IS APPLIED TO THE SUB-TALAR PIVOTAL AXIS OF THE FOOT, THE SAID INCLINED PLANES THEREOF ELEVATE AND CONTROL THE ANTERIOR-INFERIOR OF THE HEELBONE, 